Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has announced the Defense Department will cut the number of furlough days for employees to 11 as part of agency efforts to address the $37 billion budget cut.
Hagel has told DoD employees they would have to take 11 furlough days starting July 8 through Sept. 30, one per week, instead of the initially planned 22-day temporary layoffs, according to an American Forces Press Service article.
Nick Simeone and Karen Parrish write that Hagel said during a meeting with employees at the Mark Center in Alexandria, Va. he had to approve furloughs because the department needs to continue maintenance, training, flying hours and ship deployments.
“We kept going back. And finally, we got to a point where I could not responsibly go any deeper into cutting or jeopardizing our formations, our readiness and training,†Hagel said.
In March, Congress allowed the agency to alter its pre-sequester plans and reduce the furlough days to 14.
Employees set to be furloughed will begin receiving written notices on June 5.
